Small town D-Day veterans share stories with community, base members

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Chase Hedrick
  • 14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  Four quiet retired D-Day veterans in Columbus Air Force Base's own backyard shared their stories with community and base leaders during a banquet at the Ritz Theater in West Point Mississippi on June 4.

War stories were told and new appreciations were found for the sacrifices made by the American people and the United States Armed Forces to ensure the successes on the beaches of Normandy June 6, 1944, better known as D-Day.

Displays including WWII era weapons and pictures sparked war stories and conversation from men who had once kept their stories from even their own families.

Guest speaker for the event, Mr. Joe Johnson, said he hadn't shared his stories until his children started asking questions and has since become more open about the events that occurred while he served under the command of Army General George Patton. Mr. Johnson stormed the invasion point known as Utah Beach as part of the 5th wave on June 6, 1944 as an Army Private First Class, 2nd Armored Division "Hell on Wheels", 3rd Army.

Mr. Johnson openly shared his experiences in his speech and alongside three other local veterans during the premier viewing of the "Salute to Local D-Day Veterans" video containing footage from the multimedia archives. In the video each veteran spoke of their individual experiences, common themes that seemed to have inspired the 14th Flying Training Wing's #1 Priority; Back-2-BLAZE (Building leaders, advancing integrity, service before self and excellence in all we do) and the Air Force Core values ran throughout with a heavy emphasis on service.

Most don't know how important women's service to the country was during the war according Mr. Johnson, who wanted nothing more than to emphasize his appreciation.

"There weren't enough men left (in America). Who would build our ships and our airplanes?" he said. "Let me tell you about these ladies. We could not have won this war without these ladies building the machines to send over there to us to use. Ladies, you don't know what you mean to this country. God bless you."

Reminders of why the war was being waged constantly existed on the frontlines according to Mr. Johnson, who described memories of liberating the concentration camp Dachau, and discoveries before that moment.

"I got over all those battles, but I'll never get over this, I cannot, I cannot," he said, hesitating for a moment to compose himself before continuing. "They had three (rail) cars there, and bodies were stacked eight feet high on each side. Could you imagine the horrible stench that was there? Could you imagine what might have gone through the mind of a boy who had been raised on the South-Forty and never heard of anything like that? How could anybody be so cruel?"

However, such experiences have not extinguished these veterans love of country and willingness to do it all again. Though filled with enthusiasm to defend their homeland, they know the torch has been passed and a younger generation must protect freedom at home and abroad.

When asked what others can learn from the "greatest generation." D-Day Veteran (Air Force/Army) Staff Sgt. Al Cummings, of Company G, 3rd Battalion, 60th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division, kept it simple and true:

"To do what you're supposed to do: Take care of this country."